In 2009, Research in Motion was a star. The Canadian company led the country's tech industry, sold its 50 millionth BlackBerry, and came in first place on Fortune's Fastest-Growing Companies list.
In 2011, things aren't looking so rosy for the smartphone company -- it faces intense competition from Apple and Google and announced that it would lay off 2,000 employees. But some call the predictions of RIM's nearing demise greatly exaggerated. The last fiscal year saw a 40% increase in BlackBerry shipments and a 35% uptick in revenues. More good news: the last quarter international revenue grew 67% year over year.
Fortune's annual roster of high performers reveals the promising saplings that are rising in a difficult economy and some stalwarts that deliver year after year.
